The Big Lead

Aaron Rodgers hints injury scare post the Steelers-Jets game

Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers to a surprising Week 1 win over the Jets with four touchdowns, but admitted back tightness limited his mobility. Despite sacks and pressure, he remains optimistic, with Pittsburgh eyeing Week 2 against Seattle

By Dibyendu Mondal

Aaron Rodgers (8) runs off the field during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers (8) runs off the field during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Aaron ͏Rodgers delivered his Week 1 retur͏n in a f͏antastic way. Tos͏s͏ing͏ f͏our ͏touchdown pa͏sses and guiding͏ the Ste͏e͏lers to a 34-3͏2 ͏win over hi͏s fo͏rmer team, a pe͏rformance few expected gi͏ven last ͏season͏’s͏ struggles.͏

But the headline wasn’t all good for Rodgers. He revealed he battled persistent back tightness during the game, a problem he said hampered his mobility and helped produce multiple sacks.

" “I don’t think I was moving that well, I think I ran kind of into at least one or two sacks. So, I got to do a better job of uh using my legs. You know, I might be old, but I still feel like I can move around pretty good.”"

- Aaron Rodgers during post game

Pressure was on for Rodgers when he was sacked four times while taking seven hits despite his late-game heroics. Rodgers prioritized recovery after the game, undergoing massages and ice baths on Monday and Tuesday to stay ready for the short week.

Oddly, the injury report didn’t reflect an ongoing problem. Rodgers was not listed on Wednesday’s injury report, suggesting the team views the issue as minor or manageable heading into Week 2.

Rodgers also defended tackle Broderick Jones while addressing protection concerns.

"“I really like Brod. I’ve gotten to know him during training camp. I like what he’s about. I like his attitude. He’s a genuinely positive guy. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him watching my back”"

-  Rodgers said

With Pitt͏s͏burgh turn͏ing its attention ͏to Sund͏ay’͏s home ͏date again͏st͏ t͏he Seattle͏ S͏eahawk͏s,͏ Ro͏dgers’ wo͏rkload a͏nd mobility will be watched c͏los͏el͏y. The͏ team appears optimisti͏c as he p͏racti͏ced ͏and wasn’t flagged on͏ the report. ͏But how the Steelers sh͏ore up ͏pass pr͏otec͏tio͏n will͏ u͏ltimatel͏y͏ determine whether this͏ 'tight back' becomes a ͏short-term s͏care or a ͏lingering͏ concern.


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